Tactual interpretation of vibrations



Oct. 29, 1929. w. c. JONES TACTUAL INTERPRETATION OF VIBRATIONS Filed Jan 17, 1923 Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARREN O. JONES, OF FLUSHING', NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T BELL TELEPHONE LABORA- TORIES, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TACTUAL In'rnnrnnrArron or VIBRATiONS Application filed-January i'zjieaa. Serial No. 247,288.

This invention relates to the tactual intervery diflicult to tactually detect a continuous pretation of vibrations and its object is to enfrequency in excess of 1500 cycles. In the able a totally deaf person to interpret sounds preferred embodiment the resonant frequenor electrical vibrations through the sense of cies of all elements of the structure are in extouch. cess of 1800 cycles, thereby eliminating con- 55 Heretofore various arrangements have fusion due to resonant frequencies. By makbeen roposed to aid the deaf in interpreting 'ing the resonant frequencies high, it is also sount s through the sense of touch, such an possible to make the stiffness of the vibrating arrangement, for example, being disclosed in elements great enough to prevent excessive the application of Harvey Fletcher, Serial changes in air-gap length clue to variations in 60 No. 110,099, filed May 19, 1926, in which arthe force exerted by the pressure of the rangement the sound waves are converted fingers and thumb upon the stimulators. into electrical waves and then amplified to This invention may be more clearly underoperate electromagnetic means in accordance stood by reference to the accompanying with the frequences of the sound waves, and drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic 65 thus to spacially stimulate the tactual nerves. view of a system embodying the features of In accordance with the present invention this invention for the tactual interpretation which is an improvement on the device disof electrical vibrations such as those proclosed in the above application, there is produced by speech, and Fig. 2 shows in detail Vided a system in which the frequency the receiving element disclosed in Fig. l. 7 spectrum of the waves corresponding to Referring to the drawing, amicrophone or speech is broken up into separate bands transmitter 10 is connected through a suitwhich are impressed respectively upon the able transformer 11 to the input terminals of thumb and fingers of the observer. In its an amplifier 12, the output of which is conpreferred embodiment, the receiving device nected to theinput terminals of a filter 13. comprises a structure containing five elec- This filter is arranged to break up the speech tromagnets each equipped with a vibratile spectrum into five separate bands which are member carrying at its center a projecting adapted to operate stimulators conveniently member or stimulator. Four of these stimulocated on the receiving element Rto stimu- 30 lators extend from one side of the structure in late the tactile nerves of the thumb and such a way as to be easily engaged by the fingers of'the user. Preferably, the speech fingers of one hand and the fifth stimulator spectrum, covering the range in which the extends fromthe opposite side of the structextile nerves are sensitive, is broken up into ture so as to engage the thumb. The strucbands which bear an octave relation to each 3 ture is provided with a shelf portion upon other. Satisfactory results have been obwhich the wrist of the user may rest so that tained when the range of the respective bands the thumb and fingers are held in contact covers frequencies of zero to 125, 125 to 250, with the stimulators with the minimum exer- 250 to 5.00, 500 to 1000, and frequencies above tion, the fingers and thumb taking the posi- 1000. In Fig. 1 the conductors are shown 4 tions which they would naturally assume schematically as connected directly to the when feeling of an object. stimulators, but it will be understood that In accordance with another feature of the these stimulators are preferablyoperated by invention vibrating elements of this receivelectromagnets which are connected between ing device are arranged to have natural frethe respective terminals of the filter and the 45 quencies outside the frequency range to common conductor 20. which the tactile nerves respond readily. It The receiving element, as will be more has been determined that the intensity of the clearly understood by reference to Fig. 2, stimulation required to reach the threshold comprises a casing 15 provided with a shelf of feeling increases very' rapidly above a freportion 16 adapted to support the wrist of 6 quency of approximately 1000 cycles and it is the user in such a way that thethumb and fingers may engage their respective stimulators with a minimum of exertion. Extending through perforations in one side of the receiver are four pins or stimulators 17 which are adapted to be engaged by the fingers of the user, While a similar stimulator extends from the opposite side of the receiver and is so positioned as to be easily engaged by the thumb of the user. These stimulators are mounted on reed members 18, each of which is mounted in operative relation to an elec tromagnet 19. The vibrating reeds are designed to have natural frequencies outside the frequency range to which the tactile nerves respond readily. Since is has been determined that it is very difiicult to tactually detect a continuous frequency in excess of 1500 cycles, the natural frequency of the reed members and of other elements of the receiver is preferably in excess of 1800 cycles. 7

While this system is described as being especially adapted for the interpretation of speech, it obviously can also be used for the interpretation of other electrical vibrations of suitable frequencies. For example such a system may be used for the tactual interpretation of vibrations produced by telegraph or signaling currents or for interpreting vibrationsproduced electrically from phonograph recor s.

What is claimed is:

1. A tactual receiver comprising a mounting, a vibratile member having a portion extending from one side of the mounting to engage the thumb of the observer, and a plurality of vibratile members extending from the opposite side of the mounting and ada ted to engage the fingers of the user, said vi ratile members being respectively responsive to different frequencies.

2. A tactual receiver comprising a vibratile member for stimulating the tactile nerves of the user, said member having a natural frequency outside the frequency range which may be readily detected tactually.

3. A tactual receiver comprising a vibratile member for stimulat' g the tactile nerves of the user, said member having a natural frequency greater than 1800 cycles per second.

4. A tactual receiver comprising a shelf portion arranged to permit the hand of the user to rest thereon and a mounting associated therewith and having a vibratile member ex tending from one. side thereof and a plurality of vibratile members extending from the opposite side thereof in such a position as to respectively engage the thumb and fingers of the user when the hand is resting on said shelf, said vibratile members being respectively responsive to different frequencies.

5. A system for the tactual interpretation of vibrations comprising a multiple band filter and a plurality of vibratile members responsrve to the respective bands, each of said vlbratile members having a portion extend- 

